AMBITIOUS AFC Telford have moved to keep managerial pair Rob Smith and Larry Chambers at the New Bucks Head until the summer of 2010 - despite the fact they missed out on promotion this season.

Both have agreed to extend their exisiting contracts and chairman Lee Carter said: "It was imperative the club has stability and this new deal is just the start for them."

Smith and Chambers, who were previously in charge at Willenhall and Redditch, took over at Telford just over two years from former Northern Ireland international Bernard McNally.

The Bucks were facing the threat of relegation from the Unibond Premier Division at the time but the duo presided over a massive transformation, which not only secured Telford's safety that season but then ensured promotion the following term.

Having missed out in the Blue Square North play-offs this season after finishing second behind Kettering, Carter was keen to tie has management team down.

He added: "They are brilliant to work with and they get the best out of everyone at the club. I have said it before, but they are simply the best about."

Smith and Chambers have sprung a surprise by releasing central defender Vaughan Thomas.

The 30-year-old was one of Chasetown's FA Cup heroes this season who was snapped up by the Bucks following their third-round defeat to Cardiff City.

However, Thomas has since struggled to command a regular place in Telford's team.

His prospects look bleaker with the arrival of Stuart Whitehead and Dave Roberts.

Chambers said: "Vaughan wants regular football and doesn't need to be sitting on the bench at this stage of his career."

South Birmingham-based Thomas is already attracting interest from Conference North rivals Solihull Moors.